Electrochromic windows and method of making the same

• US 6,594,067 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2001
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Tonar, William L., Guarr, Thomas F., Poll, David L., Ash, Kevin L., Theiste, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): O NEILL, GARY W
• Application Number:
  US09/989,619
• Publication Number:
  US 20020075552A1
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 359/594, 359/609, 359/614, 359/265, 359/273, 359/274, 359/275, 359/277
• US Class Current: 359/275
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66 Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together reforming and uniting glass sheets by fusing C03B23/00; joining glass to glass or to other materials C03C27/00; laminated glass B32B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66366 specially adapted for units comprising more than two panes or for attaching intermediate sheets
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6722 with adjustable passage of light
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6775 Evacuating or filling the gap during assembly
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/264 Combinations of lamellar blinds with roller shutters, screen windows, windows, or double panes; Lamellar blinds with special devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/44 Arrangements combining different electro-active layers, e.g. electrochromic, liquid crystal or electroluminescent layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods

Abstract

An electrochromic window assembly is disclosed that includes a first substrate and a second substrate that is maintained in a parallel and spaced relation from the first substrate by means of a window frame and spacer. The window assembly further includes an electrochromic device mounted within the airtight chamber formed between the first and second substrates. Electrochromic device 22 may be mounted so as to provide an air chamber between first substrate 12, which is the external substrate, and electrochromic device 22. At least one of the chambers formed between substrates 12 and 14 and electrochromic device 22 may be filled with an insulating gas such as argon. Also disclosed are novel methods for manufacture of an electrochromic device for incorporation into such a window assembly. A novel electrochromic device is also disclosed having electrical bus clips secured about the entire periphery of the electrochromic device. Also disclosed is the use of steel bus clips for the electrochromic device.

Claims

1. A window comprising:

a first substrate;

a second substrate;

a spacer for spacing and maintaining said first and second substrates in a parallel, spaced-apart relation; and

a variable-transmittance device disposed between and spaced apart from said first and second substrates thereby defining a first chamber between said first substrate and said variable-transmittance device, and a second chamber between said second substrate and said variable-transmittance device.

2. The window of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of said first substrate constitutes the external surface of the window and wherein said second chamber has a lower thermal conductivity than the atmosphere surrounding the window.

3. The window of claim 1, wherein said first chamber is filled with a gas having a high thermal conductivity.

4. The window of claim 1 and further including a seal disposed between said first and second substrates for rendering said first and second chambers airtight.

5. The window of claim 4, wherein said seal includes at least one channel through which gas may flow between said first and second chambers.

6. The window of claim 1 and further including a frame disposed around the periphery of said first and second substrates.

7. The window of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second substrates is made of tempered glass or annealed, heat, or chemically strengthened or laminated glass.

8. The window of claim 1, wherein said variable-transmittance device is an electrochromic device.

9. A window comprising:

a first substrate;

a second substrate;

a spacer for spacing and maintaining said first and second substrates in a spaced-apart relation; and

first and second variable-transmittance devices disposed between said first and second substrates and spaced apart from each other to define a chamber therebetween, wherein each of said first and second variable-transmittance devices are independently controlled.

10. The window of claim 9 and further including a seal for sealing said first and second substrates and providing an airtight cavity therebetween.

11. The window of claim 10, wherein said first and second variable-transmittance devices further being spaced apart from said first and second substrates thereby dividing said cavity into a first chamber between said first substrate and said first variable-transmittance device, a second chamber between said first and second variable-transmittance devices, and a third chamber between said second substrate and said second variable-transmittance device.

12. The window of claim 11, wherein at least one of said chambers has a lower thermal conductivity than the atmosphere surrounding the window.

13. The window of claim 9, wherein said variable-transmittance devices are electrochromic devices.

14. The window of claim 9, wherein one of said variable-transmittance devices is an electrochromic device.

15. The window of claim 14, wherein one of said variable-transmittance devices is a liquid crystal display device.

16. The window of claim 9, wherein one of said variable-transmittance devices is a liquid crystal display device.